The Following includes an excerpt from “FROM CHAOS TO CHRIST: Out of Noise, into Truth” by Fr. Christopher Metropulos. Buy the book available now HERE.
Some say we are the most entertained and least educated generation. We laugh and cry at our entertainment, but what are we zeroing in on? Certainly not our spirituality or our road to salvation. Do we take the time to pray? To be silent? To listen to the Word of God? I have watched one or more of those mind-numbing shows, full disclosure here, when I’ve felt bored or overwhelmed. But honestly, those times of watching the broadcasted lives of others have been the least productive moments in living up to the image of God in me. The question we need to ask ourselves is, how much of each day are we spending doing this? What valid activities are we skipping while we seek entertainment?
You know the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out!” If we spend our time consuming things through our senses, we can be sure that what we consume will manifest itself somewhere in our lives. On the other hand, if we seek holiness, we will encounter holiness at one point or another in our lives and the lives of our family members. I have met people in life who are incredibly successful, and those who, for various reasons, have fallen on very difficult and hard times. The faces may be different, but each person is created in the image and likeness of God.
In our devotion, turning might mean getting up early before everyone else to read the Scriptures of the day or listen to a podcast. Sit in silence, establish your Prayer Rule, then pray specifically. When you shift focus away from maintaining your projected image, you’ll be surprised at the energy you gain to nurture God’s likeness and pursue sainthood.
